➹ yummy finds at the korean grocery part 3!

So today I found some old pictures on my phone from my previous grocery escapades. Ahh, looking at these makes me want to head out for an impromptu Korean food shopping spree!


Corn Chee means guilty addicting kiddie pleasures. My niece is in love with this snack because of the sticky sweet corn flavor reminiscent of flavored popcorn you get at local fairs.


I was so happy to get this from the local grocery! I brought home some of these bread goodies when I went to Seoul last fall so buying this recently reminded me of that amazing vacation.


I mentioned how fond I am of corn tea before so I just have to have a bottle of this again. Drinking it cold is really refreshing! Although some of my colleagues commented that it looked like cooking oil hahaha~


Bottled coffee is so common in Korea and Cafe Bene is one of the more popular brands. Perhaps it's because of the Secret Garden craze which had some scenes shot at a Cafe Bene location. I am no coffee connoisseur but this one tastes real good to me.


Almond candies!^^ You get a real whole almond on top of a caramel candy. I like to melt the caramel on my mouth and munch through the almond afterwards ... yum!



And one more caramel candy hehehe ... This one is chewy and sticks to your teeth. But it comes in handy pack which fits my pocket! I brought these to meetings and helped keep me awake on boring moments hehe~

So there's another set of grocery goodies. You can find my first batch of yummy finds here and the second one here.

➹ seoul subway fangirl essentials

The Seoul Metro is a crucial element in a foreign fangirl's Seoul itinerary. Hallyu's vitality pulsates through the complex, extensive and impressive subway system during concerts, album and product promotions, tv broadcasts and anytime in between! It is a vital lifeline to all kinds of fandom and bears witness to both extreme ecstasy and despair ㅋㅋㅋ.

I clearly remember the subway scene at the time I watched my very first kpop concert at the Jamsil Stadium. The excitement was palpable from the very moment we got off the train and into the platform. We followed the hurried footsteps of the other fangirls who alighted at the station. This was the first fangirling trick I learned. When in doubt, follow the fangirls^^. There were ahjussi's and ahjumma's selling lightsticks and other fan paraphernalia near the exits … But we passed them in a hurry since the free concert was about to start already. The freezing autumn evening breeze washed over us as we left the shelter of the subway … and that was how the memory of my first Hallyu immersion began.




Lucky for us, our first concert ended well before midnight so we were able to get back into the subway and safely head home. There was another time when we watched a different concert at the Olympic Stadium and it ended at around 11pm. There were painfully long lines at the single journey ticket counter, the card reload stations, and the toilets! So a second useful tip will be to have a loaded T-money card for concert transpo! The subway stop was chock full of fangirls and we were at a standstill by the stairs past the turnstiles. It took us a long while to board the train but no one was really paying attention to the time. The air was buzzing with wildly excited chatter, barely restrained cheers and pounding hearts. But everything felt like an alternate universe for me as my happily intoxicated heart was floating serenely up above it all. I saw my idols up close and everything seemed too unreal… So I was staging a private MV on my head~ staring blankly at the train window as the dark night rushed past us along the way.

And then there was a announcement made over the subway PA system. It was already midnight and they were stopping the subway operations. Everyone should alight from this stop. It was a sudden crisis which jolted me back to real time. We were a long way from our hotel stop but we had no choice but to follow all the other passengers off the station. I actually thought that all trains would have to end their journey at the last stop. We were complacent and felt that all we had to do was board the train and it will get us home. The crowd of people off one of the exits were all flagging the taxis passing by. Because most of the driver ahjussis refused our destination, it took us almost an hour to get into a taxi headed for Yeouido ㅠㅠ. What a way to burst my concert bubble, right? That taught us the importance of evaluating the subway journey time especially on late nights.

First trains are just as important as last trains. On another occasion, we were planning to go to a comeback recording and we had to confirm what time does the earliest train leave our subway stop. We headed out at dawn around 6ish to catch our first train. On board were fellow fangirls who wanted to queue as live audience for Inkigayo! Since we were the foreigners, we were sort of feeling them out, figuring which fandom they belong to and all that. Once we reached the stop nearest the broadcasting studio, the mini race started. All the fangirls got off and tried not to but eventually had to sprint to the exits and transfer onto taxis. You see the competition is fierce for live show audiences hehe … We got there well before 7am for a pre-recording happening at 11am and there was already a HUGE crowd of people. I managed to make the 230+ mark and was able to enter the studio and sit on the last row! That was worth my very early morning haha, especially since all the other girls apparently lined up since 4ish with some devotees even spending an all-nighter OUTSIDE.



So indeed, I've spent plenty of tension-filled moments on subway platforms and exits hahaha! I should mention that subway toilet lines could be just as stressful as the race to the exits especially during cold and rainy days. But all of these are most definitely part of fangirling. Nobody ever said being in a fandom is easy.

On a lighter note, the subway hosts a lot of pleasant mini hallyu experiences as well. It is such a delight to check out the fangoods sold at subway exits during special events. The curious thing is that the ahjussi's and ahjumma's sell items from artists who are not even performing on the event hehehe. Additional eye candies are welcome, of course. Aside from these, there are huge idol advertisements on the platform and on the trains itself. Idol magazines can also be picked out from the newspaper and magazine stands inside the paid area. These are just minute amusement options while waiting for the train.



As a tourist, subways also offer an intimate cultural experience. You get to ride with Seoulites on their daily commute and observe the dynamics of their everyday lives. It's interesting to see how almost everyone is bent over their smartphones watching live tv or recorded broadcasts. And these netizens on the move walk really fast, I tell you. The torturous long transfers in between stations are quite easy for these Seoulites.





I am also fascinated with the diversity in the designs of subway stations. Here are some memorable visuals from some pretty stops.





Lastly, most fans would already know how to get T-money cards with their idols on it, right? Yeah, I'll make sure to get THOSE next time.

➹ gwanghwamun summer night memories

Summer nights in Seoul are simply glorious moments. The temperature goes down and beautiful lights are turned on. It's the perfect time to sit back, enjoy the view and the occasional cool breeze and finally take a rest from fanning yourself all day! ^^




It's nice to wait for sundown at Cheonggye Plaza and Gwanghwamun Square. I've talked about an afternoon spent musing about life's ironies at Cheonggyecheon before. You can just imagine how fond I am of this place now that I can't help but mention it again while reminiscing Seoul summer sunsets.

Because I didn't know the exact time for sunset, I waited for some time at the Cheonggyecheon stream. Next time, I would gladly consult the timeanddate website hehehe... Or not~ It's so nice just to hang around the Cheonggye Plaza that it became dark almost before I realized it.

Crossing over to the Gwanghwamun Plaza, I was greeted by the delightful shrieks of young fountain enthusiasts. The brilliant fountain lights just bring out the kid in everyone haha! There is definitely a different vibe in the area at nightfall with all the kids playing and laughing in the water.







I was definitely reluctant to head home... But the thought of a nice relaxing shower after a humid summer day was as equally enticing as these beautiful lights. And quite frankly, I was getting too envious of the refreshing laughter of those kids having a blast at the fountains! Indeed, summer is for those with a guiltless license to be drenched and carefree. It's a season to not think nor care about consequences ^^.

➹ airport limousine buses

I'm quite fond of the airport limousine buses going to and from the Incheon International Airport. I've tried it a couple of times and had wonderful experiences on all occasions.





Here's why I like them:
1. They're cheap! For KRW10,000 I can get to downtown Seoul from Incheon Airport.
2. They're huge! My luggage goes into the compartments on the side of the bus. The friendly ahjussis at the airport stop give out luggage tags and help load the luggage into the bus when they arrive. Hence, I only have to take care of my personal bags inside the bus and I can sit comfortably on the spacious chairs.
3. There is useful English is everywhere! The route map on the site, on the stops, and on the bus are all in English. Bus announcements are translated in English as well. Check out the bus routes on their website.
4. Driver ahjussis are very helpful. They acknowledge me properly when I hand in my ticket and emphasize my destination. They also get off the bus and help with the luggage regardless of whether I'm getting in or off the bus.

There could be minor challenges for first time riders though~
1. The last trip from the airport is not as late as I would prefer. There were times when we had to rush to the ticket booth and the bus stops so as to catch the last bus. How I wish they have late night trips for all routes at perhaps a more expensive fare.
2. Traffic can be unpredictable. We once waited for a bus at one hotel and it was incredibly late (like more than 30minutes) that we were really nervous that we were going to miss our flight. Luckily, the hotel chauffeur offered to take us to the airport in exchange for our paid bus tickets. He was going to the airport to pick up a guest anyway so it was fine to bring us along. The traffic was really bad but fortunately we got through our flight with just about 5 minutes to spare before boarding!
3. I've heard that taking the airport train is cheaper ^^. But this works only if the traveler does not carry heavy luggage.
4. Choosing the right bus stop may be a little confusing. Buses normally have 2 bus stops assigned at the airport terminal. The staff at the ticket counter will normally point you to the first stop and emphasize the time you need to be there. This is a good choice since the bus would normally be empty at the first stop. It might be full on the 2nd stop already depending on the time. At first I thought a different bus would start at the 2nd stop and I wanted to go there instead of the 1st since it was nearer to me. Because I didn't understand this, I was confused on where to go haha.
5. I wish they had area maps so I can plot how to go about the area. I find that most hotel maps are insufficient at identifying pedestrian crossings or underpasses near the bus stops. Here's when I find it challenging to determine if I can carry/pull my luggage up to my destination.



Despite the really minor challenges, I still enjoy riding the airport limousine buses. Here are my favorite perks!
1. Bus magazines ^^. The last time I rode in the bus, there were magazines inserted on the back pockets of the seats. They were mostly in Korean but there were English articles here and there too. I love browsing through the ads so that was really nice.
2. The view of the long bridge in Incheon is amazing! It's great to sight see these things on a bus when going to Seoul. These also give me a sentimental feel when returning to the airport hehe.
3. Seatbelts ^^. I find these rare and really interesting. As I work for a global company who places utmost value on safety, I appreciate the use of seatbelts when it is not normally required. I'm sure our safety folks would highly approve of this.

➹ yummy finds at the korean grocery part 2!

I love my Korean grocery side trips especially when I discover new goodies like these.


Teafood! This first cookie set is really lovely. The cookies on the blue package were quite nice. They weren't very sweet which would make them a perfect snack with hot milk tea. But I love the honey ginger flavored cookies better ^^. I am such a sucker for cutesy design hahah~ and these cookies are all decked out on festive decors! They are also delicately sweet which I absolutely love. I want to get more of these next time.


I also got this 고구마 snack as I was quite taken with the "The world filled with sweet dreams" tagline on its package. Its shape was certainly peculiar as they actually look exactly like the picture on the package. Sweet? Yes, indeed and really crunchy too. It tasted fine but I couldn't get past more than a few pieces as I got too full. I kept it inside my fridge and kept snacking on it for a few days ^^. The crunch and the sweetness did not change so I really enjoyed this for a long time!

Yum. Can't wait for my next good finds! ^^

➹ pretty korean postcards

Now that everyone is all to absorbed in getting and keeping things online, there is little appreciation for old school mementos like postcards. My dad used to snail mail me postcards from Papua New Guinea when he worked there but that was a really LOOOOONG time ago! I honestly have not sent postcards from my own travels in the recent years … neither have I recently received any from friends or family EXCEPT these ones from Korea!



I received this first one February of 2010. I was pleasantly surprised when I found it on my doorstep at home after work. A dear Korean friend sent me this postcard with a heartwarming message at the back. I love it so much that I kept it in my work journal and kept transferring it as I switch to new journals each year! I kept a Starbucks dedication postcard with this Korean postcard. This one was given to me by my선배 from last New Year. It's so nice to see these postcards as they remind me of how fortunate I am to have found really amazing friends.



I got this new one last weekend from a fangirl 동생 ^^. It is the very definition of AWE-INSPIRING! Gwanghwamun Square is one of my favorite places in Seoul. Like my first Korean postcard, the message at the back was absolutely delightful. Now I've framed it at my work desk so I can always imagine escaping to Seoul even for just a few minutes each day. It's kind of funny too because when I look at this postcard I realize how coincidence can be all too amazing!? How lucky am I to have crossed paths with these wonderful friends~

So where can you get amazing postcards in Seoul? Well, I'm pretty sure there are postcards available on key tourist locations like Insadong, Namsan Tower and palace souvenir shops. There also used to be a free postcard program at Tourism offices! I got some Summer 2011 postcards from the Seoul Global Center at M Plaza in Myeongdong last year. They gave me a tourist pack with the postcards inside. I sure wanted to get more of these fangirl postcards but I was too shy to ask for more haha.

Another place worth checking out is the underground Haechi shop at Gwanghwamun. They have Haechi postcards which might be delightful for kids or any Haechi fans. I think I'll buy some from here on my next vacation.

Lastly, the picture postcards from Ssamziegil never get old! You can take your pictures and include them on a traditional postcard you can email to family, friends or just yourself hehe. We were vertically challenged and had some difficulty with this haha but it was still a worthwhile and free experience.

➹ what are Koreans asking me?

There are some Korean elders who seem to have this fondness and amusing interest on foreigners. Foreigners who speak the slightest Korean are even more interesting so it seems. They would approach us tourists and start small chats regardless of how much we struggle with our sparse broken Korean. It's as challenging and confusing as it is absolutely endearing! And that's why it makes for a thoroughly memorable travel experience. We would usually leave bowing respectfully, immensely amused, and all too regretful that we cannot fully understand and answer their questions.

I asked a Korean friend about it and she speculated that here are the questions we probably often get:
1. Where are you from? (어느 나라에서 오셨습니까?)
2. Can you speak Korean? (한국어를 할 줄 아십니까?)
3. Have you ever been to Korea before? (전에 한국에 와본적이 있습니까?)
4. With whom do you visit Korea? (누구와 함께 한국에 방문하셨습니까?)
5. Where do you stay? (어디서 머무르십니까?)



And then here are the questions I ASSUME they are asking just because of some keywords I recognize. I can't quite make out the full sentences but they should more or less be asking these:
1. How do you like Korea?
2. How did you learn Korean?
3. Are you students?
4. What places are you visiting?

It should be easy enough to answer these questions. The only thing to watch out for is accidental or careless usage of Banmal. I made it a point to remember Talk to Me in Korean's note that mixed usage of Cheondaemal and Banmal is such a major no-no. From someone whose basic Hangul lessons came from Korean dramas and Kpop songs, this is severely challenging. Coming from a culture which makes no special distinction between formal and informal speech and amongst persons of different ages makes that even more complicated. This means making an effort to consistently say 죄송합니다 instead of 미안해, 감사합니다 instead of 고마워 ~ even if the latter option has been better imbibed from watching kdramas.

It's fun to speak with locals especially since they make it a point to show how much they appreciate your Hangul efforts. Even if you make mistakes, it's all cool as long as you show how sincere your attempts are. Anticipating what the usual questions would be might work for folks who want to build their confidence on this. Planning and preparation will certainly pay off. But even if we get lost in translation in the middle of things, I'm pretty sure a polite smile can resolve a lot of tension. Remember~ 미소는 만국 공통어입니다. Everyone smiles in the same language ^^.



* full credits on the images go to www.kumhongfancy.co.kr *